Electrical switch controlling system



May 3, 1932 M.. n.. SINDEBAND ET AL n 1,856,195

ELECTRICAL SWITCH CONTROLLING SYSTEM I nvenors F/g- 4- I Maur/ce L. Sndeband Othmar K. Ma/'ti Attorney May 3, 1932 M. SINDEBAND ET AL ELECTRICAL SWITCH CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet Inventors Maurice L. Sindeband Uthmar K. Marti By CUL May 3, 1932. M. SINDEBAND ET Al.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH CONTROLLTNG SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1929 3 She-,S-Sheei All A Home] Patented May 3, 1932 y UNITED Asrakrrss rPATENT ol-Flca MAURICE L. SINDEBAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND OTHMAR K. MARTI, OF HADDON- FIELD, NEW JERSEY, -ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ALLIS-CHALMERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL SWITCH CON TROLLING SYSTEM Application led January 14, 1929. Serial No. 332,283. I

which the breakers are not capable of carry` ing safely, the result in some cases being the burning out of the breaker contacts,'wh1le in other cases the lcurrent conditions have l been of such severity as to cause explosion of the breakers. Furthermore, opening operation of such circuit-breakers has always been accompanied by undesirable electrical surges in the line, these surges in some cases being of such account as to make necessary the employment of special apparatus to provide a compensating action.I

One of the objects of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved-system of the character referred r,to wherein the -transmission line may be opened and closed safely and without diiicultyunder the most severe conditions, and without any of the undesirable effects referred to above,.such as 3,0 have occurred in systems embodying the various typesof circuit breakers constructed heretofore.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, several embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical system embodying the present improvements, the improved circuit-breaking apparatus being shown in section on an enf larged scale;

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are diagran1matic views,- illustrating various modifications or different arrangements;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view, partly in fsection and partly broken away; d t f yFigure 9 is asectional view, the section Abeing taken online 9-9 in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10- is a fragmentary sectional view showing another modification.

he present invention contemplates the use of current-rectifying apparatus of the arc-discharge type connected in an electrical transmission line in such manner as to open and close the same under any operating conditions which might occur, use being made of the electrical phenomenon or fact that such apparatus will permit of ready flow of current through itself in one direction, but willoppose such How in the opposite direction.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the electrical transmission lines 10 and 11, leading from the source of alternating current, indicated generally by reference numeral 12, are connected respectively to bus bars 13 through apparatus embodying the present improvements and indicated generally by the reference numerals 11 and 15.

The apparatus 1t is of the current-rectifying arc-discharge type, and includes the evacuated casing 16 provided with the cover plate 17, and with which is associated the mercury cathode 18, the apparatus being mounted on suitable insulating supports 19 and 20. Mounted in cover plate 17 is the anode unit` designated generally by reference numeral 21 and including the anode 22 andthe anode shield 23. Anode 22 is connected directly to line 10 by connection- 24.

Fixed in plate 17 is the insulator 25 through which the switch memberor plunger 26 passes with a loose sliding lit for vertical movement into and out of contacting engagement at its lower end portion 27 with cathode 18. A guide collar 28 also loosely receives member 2,6, and is supported within casing 16 in any suitablefmanner such as by the bracket 29. The upper end portion of member 26 is provided with the head 30 of magnetic material and has a sliding fit in the electromagneticcoil 31 supported as shown. in the housing 32 carried by the upper exterior end portion of insulator 25. Fixed on member 26 is the collar 33 against which the compression spring 34 acts to constantly urge member 26 upwardly out of contacting engagement with cathode 18, the exible 'cable 35 being connected at its respective ends 100 to collar 33 and housing 32 to provide a good electrical connection therebetween while permitting freely of vertical movement of member 26. The latch 36 is supported and arranged as shown in housing 32 for latching engagement with the magnetic head 30 to hold member 26 in contacting engagement with cathode 18 against, the action of spring 34, and is urged at all times into latching position by the compression spring 37. An electromagnet 38 of any suitable construction provides for movement of latch 36 to the right against the action ofsprng 37 for the purpose of releasing member 26, and is excited by the local Circuit 39 controlled by the relay 40. The relay 40 is, through the translatter, may be similar to the well-known corresponding constructions in the'so-called mercury-arc rectifiers.

The operation of the improved system and apparatus is as follows: During normal operation of the system, switch member 26 is held by latch 36 in contacting engagement with cathode 18, and accordingly constitutes a short-circuit within the apparatus itself l and across the arc path between thecathode and anode22. Under normal operating conditions, therefore, switch member 26 carries the entire amount of current. Upon occurrence of a short-circuit in the system, such as to cause a relatively high current increase in line 10, relay 40 becomes excited through transformer 41 and closes contacts 42 to effect unlatching movement of latch 36 under the influence of electromagnet 38. Switch member 26 is then raised by spring 34 out of contacting engagement with cathode 18, causing an arc to be struck between the cathode and the lower end portion 27 of the switch member. Due to the voltage drop in reactor 45 at this time, and the abnormal conditions in line 10, anode 22 will be at a. relatively high positive potential, so that substantially simultaneously with the striking of the arc, as just explained, and consequent establishment of a cathode spot, the arc will be transferred from the lower end portion 27 of the switch member to the anode. The current will then continue to flow from anode 22 to the cathode for such period of time as might elapse until the current alternation passes through zero on its next alternation, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after which period of time the fiow of current will cease and line 10 will be open.' Upon such failure of the arc discharge between the anode and cathode, the same will not be taken up again by switch member 26 for the reason that the lower end portion 27 thereof will at that time be vertically spaced from the cathode an appreciable amount and Vwill not be under such potential as would be necessary to induce an arc discharge, it being understood also in this connection that there will be no cathode spot at this time as the same will have failed upon failure of the arc discharge between anode 22 and the cathode. Closure of the line may again be effected by'closing switch 44 to excite coil 31, the latter then being effective to attract the magnetic head 30 and move switch member 26 downwardly against the action of spring 34 and into latching engagement with latch 36 and into contacting engagement with cathode 18 to again provide the short-circuit interiorly of apparatus 14 and across the arc path between lthe cathode and anode. The construction and manner of operation of apparatus 15, connected in line 11, is identical to that of apparatus 14.

Apparatus 46 and 47, similar to apparatus 14 and 15, may be connected as shown in the feeder lines 48 connected to bus barsy 13 through transformer 49, provision then being made for complete protection of the feeder system as well as the current supply system connected to the bus bars.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the anode 22 is connected to line 10 through an an open-circuited current transformer. 50. When switch member 26 is positive with respect. to cathode 18, the anode is brought to a high positivepotential by the action of transformer 50, the advantage of this being that transfer of the arc from member 26 to the anode takes place with greater facility upon the striking of the arc by member 26 and establishment of a cathode spot, the degree depending upon the extent of potential increase on the anode as providedby transformer 50. It is proposed, in some cases, to

Vdesign transformer 50 such thatthe same will provide for an lincrease inthe potential of the anode by such amount as to effect establishment of an arc between the same and the cathode before switch member 26 is moved obit of contacting engagement with the catho e.

In the arrangement shownlin Fig. 3, constant ignition ofthe apparatus is provided by an auxiliary anode 51 placed under suficient potential by the direct current supply 52 to maintain an. auxiliary arc between the auxiliary anode and cathode 18. Ignition of the 'apparatus is, therefore, maintained during vnormal operation of the system, so that upon opening movement of switch member 26 the arc struck at the cathode is more readily transferred to thema-in anode 22. In this arrangement, it will be appreciatedthat in order to permit of interruption of the arc between anode 22 and the cathode, established subsequent to opening operation of member 26; it is necessary to lNremovethe auxiliary or igniting arc, for which purpose switch member 26 is provided with the switch element 53 arranged to close the local circuit 54 when member 26 is in its lower closed position, but to open"such circuit when member 26 has moved upwardly out of contacting engagement with cathode 18.v Upon opening of circuit 54,the relay 55 disposed therein becomes ,dccnergized and disconnects the associated contacts 61 one from the other to disconnect auxiliary anode 51 from supply source v52.

In closing line 10, the switch 56 is first l closed to connect auxiliary anodel with the source 52, after which the switch 57 is closed to excite 'the operating coil 58 of an ignition rod 59, whereupon the latter is moved downwardly into contacting engagement with cathode 18 to complete circuit 58. Switch 57 is then opened and rod 59 raised out of contacting engagement with cathode 18 to strike an igniting arc and establish a cathode spot, such action being followed by establishment of the auxiliary arc between the cathode and auxiliary anode 51. Switch 44 is then closed to excite the closing coil 31 for switch member 26 which is then moved downwardly into latching relation with latch 36 and into contacting engagement with the cathode. The switch element 53 now being in position to complete local circuit 54, switch 56 is opened. The ignition rod 5 9 and associated parts are similar in construction and manner of operation to the well-known ignition device in the so-called mercury-arc rectifiers.

In Fig. 4, the arrangement and manner of operation is the same as in Fig. 3, except that constant ignition of the apparatus by an auxiliary arc is provided for by a pair of auxiliary'anodes 62 and 63 connected as shown to a source of alternating current provided by the potential transformer 64 having its prima-ry v connected across lines 10 and 11 through switch 65. A suitable reactance 66 is connected between the neutral point 67 of the transformer secondary and line 11 through either contacts 68 or switch 69. In

this arrangement, contacts 68 and switch 69 prises a plurality of metal bands 71 disposed 1n concentric relation with respect to each other and connected together by radial pieces 72. The insulators 7 3 connected, as indicated, to the outer band 71 and anode shield 23, provide a support for the grid. The connection 74 to the grid is led out through a suitable insulator 75 embodied in the cover` plate 17 of the apparatus.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. .6, the direct current source 71 in Fig. 5 is replaced by an open-circuited transformer 76 connected in line 10 and to grid 70, as shown. The grid is therefore at a relatively high potential when switch member 26 is in contact* ing engagement with cathodev 18 to complete the exciting circuit for transformer 76, and inv this respect this arrangement compares with that in Fig. 2 wherein the transformer is connected directly to the anode.

Upon closing operation of the apparatus, the current iiowingthrough switch member 26 and the mercury of cathode 18 might be such as to cause repulsion of the mercury from the lower end portion 27 of the switch member, and possibly cause defective operation of the apparatus. To decrease the tendency for occurrence of such action, it is contemplated to produce an arc between anode 22 and the cathode .before switch member 26 is lowered into contacting engagement with the cathode, and for th1s purpose the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is used, wherein a relatively high potential is impressed on grid 70 by a potential transformer 77. The transformer primary is connected across lines l() and 11, as shown, while the secondary is connected at its opposite ends to anode 22 and grid 7 0, respectively.

In thearrangement shown in Fig. 11, an ignition rod 78 is provided and is raised out of contacting engagement with cathode 18 to establish a cathode spot, upon excitation of the associated lifting coil 79. Upon occurrence of a short-circuit condition in line 10, relay 80 is operated through current transformer 81 to close contacts 82, whereupon coil 79 is excitedor energized by the direct current source 83. Rod 78 will then be raised out of contacting engagement with the cathode to strike an arcA and establish and maintain a cathode spot, at which time the switch element' 84 carried by the rod will bridge contacts 85 to effect release of latch 36. The switch member 26 will then be moved upwardly out of contacting engagement with the cathode and strike an arc, which will be transferred immediately to anode 22 before member 26 has been entirely disengaged or withdrawn from the mercury of the cathode, since a cathode spot has already been established by ignition rod 78 and the associated parts. When switch member 26 has completed its upward movement, the switch element 86 carried thereby will Y be in position out of bridging relation with contacts 87, to open the igniting circuit including ignition rod 7'8 and cut out the ignition arc. Subsequent to such action, it'will be apparent that the arc between anode 22 and the cathode will fail when the current alternation in line 10 passes through zero on its next alternation.

From theforegoing it will be seen that in the arrangement in Fig. 11, the apparatus is ignited and a cathode spot established by rod 78 and its associated parts upon occurrence of abnormal conditions in line 10, and that on account of the interlock circuit including switch element 84 and contacts 85, switch member 26 will not be moved out of contacting engagement with cathode 18 until ignition rod 78 has completed its igniting operation, and further, that upon completion of the upward opening movement of member 26, switch element 86 operates to effect removal of the ignition arc.

Since it is not likely that switch member 26 will disengage cathode 18 during only that part of the cycle of current alternation in line 10 when current can flow over the rectifying arc, a failure to do which might be destructive to the switch member at high voltages and high currents, the arrangement shown in Fig. 12 is provided, wherein the two apparatus 88 and-89, shown as being similar to the apparatus in Fig. 5, are connected in parallel opposition, the respective latches 9() and 91 of the two apparatus having the common operatingcircuit 92 controlled by the common relay 93 corresponding to relay 40 in Fig. 1. The respective lifting coils 94 and 95 for the switch members have the common operating circuit 96 controlled by switch 92, the latter corresponding to switch 44 in Fig. 1. In this arrangement it makes no difference on which side of the zero point the current alternation happens to be at the instant of disengagement of the switch members 26 from cathode 18, since the arc will be struck during either halfcycle in the one or the other of the two apparatus.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 13 is the same as that in Fig. 12, except that the various parts comprising the two apparatus 88 and 89 are disposed in and associated with a single casing 98.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 14 is the same as that in Fig. 13 except that the two switch members 26 are mechanically and electrically connected by a yoke 99.

In each of the various arrangements described above the mercury cathode may be replaced by a cathode of solid metal as shown in Fig. 10, in which case the lower end of switch member 26 might be provided with a suitable contact 100 to provide for better contacting action with the cathode. In such arrangement, the cathode is provided with an upwardly extending portion 101 to facilitate transfer of the arc to anode 22, the action being that when the arc is struck between contact 100 and the lower base portion 102 of the cathode, the arc` travels upwardly along portion 101 to the upper end thereof from which point establishment of the arc between the cathode and anode 22 more readily occurs.

From the foregoing it will be seen that an improved system of the character referred to has been provided wherein apparatus of the current-rectifying type is employed to close and open the transmission line, and that during normal operation `or normal conditions in the line, switch member 26 provides 'a short-circuit within the apparatus itself across the arc path, and that in opening the line, an arc is struck and is transferred from the switch member to the anode, after which the arc fails on account of the well-known characteristic of operation of apparatus of this general type.

While various arrangements embodying thepresent invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, and means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, an anode disposed within said casing, a cathode. associated with said casing, and switch means disposed within said casing, said switch means being electrically connected to said anode and being supported for movement into and v out of contacting engagement with said cathode.

2. In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, an anode disposed within said casing, a cathode associated with said casing, andswitch means disposed within said casing, said switch means being electrically connected to said anode and being supported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with said cathode; and means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to effect line-opening action of `said first-named means.

3. In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable'to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a cathode associated with said casing, switch means disposed within said casing, said switch means being electrically connected to said anode and being supported for movementinto and out of conno A tacting engagement with said cathode, means' engement with said cathode, ,and means opera le to hold said switch means in contacting engagement with said cathode against the opposite action of said second-named means; an means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to render said holdin means nonefective with respect to said switch means.

4'. 'In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, an anode disposed and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a cathode of liquid meta-l associated with said casing, and

, switch means disposed within said casing and lsupported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with 'said cathode; ignition means for said first-named means, means responsive .to abnormal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to initiate line-opening action of. said first-named means, and means cooperable with certain of said aforesaid means upon operating action thereof to control ignitin action of said ignition means.

6. an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means includin a casing, a cathode of liquid metal associate with said casing, and switch means disposed within said casing and suported for movement into and out of contactmg engagement with said cathode; means providing for constant ignition of said firstnamed means, means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to initiate line-opening action of said first-named means, and means cooperable with'said switch means and being operable upon movement thereof out of contacting engagement with said cathode to render said ignition means noneective with respect to said first-named means.

7. In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the saine; said means including a casing, a cathode of liquid metal associated with said casing, and ignition means connected with said transmission line and arranged for movement relative to said cathode to cause formation of an electric arc within said casing; and means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line 5' and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to effect igniting action of said ignltion means.

8. In 4an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a cathode of liquid metal associated with said casing, switch means disposed within said casing and supported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with said cathode, and ignition means; means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line and beine' operable upon occurrence of such condit1ons to eil'ect igniting action of said ignition means, means operable to'provide for movement of said switch means out of contacting engagement with said cathode subsequent to igniting action of said ignition means, and means operable to render said ignition means non- Yetfectiv-e with respect to said first-named 'means subsequent to such last-mentioned movement of said switch means.

9. In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a cathode of liquid metal associated with said casing, switch means disposed within said casing and supported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with said cathode, and ignition means; means responsive to abnormal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to effeet igniting action of said ignition means, and an interlock-circuit providing for movement of said switch means out of contacting engagement with said cathode dependently upon igniting action of said ignition means.

10. ln an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a cathode of liquid metal associated with said casing, switch means disposed within said casing and supported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with .said cathode, and ignition means and means operable to render said ignition'means nonefective with respect to said irst-named means upon movement of said switch means out of contacting engagement with said cathode.

11. .The method Aof controlling an electrical system including an electrical transmission line and current-rectifying apparatus of the arcing type disposed in said line, said method consisting in short-circuiting the arc path Within said apparatus'during normal operation of said line, and in establishing a current-rectifying arc traversing said path and in removing such short-circuit upon occurrence of abnormal conditions in said line.

12. In an electrical system, an electrical transmissionline, current-rectifying apparatus of the arcing type disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same said apparatus including a casing, a catho e associated with said casing, and means disposed interiorly of said casing and operable to short-circuit the arc path; and means for controlling short-circuiting action of said means.

' 132 In an electrical system, an electrical transmission line, and means disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same; said means including a casing, a main anode disposed Within said casing, a cathode associated with said casing, switch means disposed Within said casing and supported for movement into and out of contacting engagement with said cathode, and auxiliary anode means disposed Within said casing; and means providing for establishmentl of an arc between said auxiliary anode means and said cathode.

14. The method of controlling an electrical system including an electrical transmission line and current-rectifying apparatus of the arcing type disposed in said line, said method consisting in short-circuiting the are path Within said apparatus during normal operation of said line, and in providing for establishment of a current-rectifying arc to traverse said path and subsequently removing such short-circuit upon occurrence of abnormal conditions in said line. l

15. The method of controlling an electrical system including an electrical transmission l1ne and current-rectifying apparatus of the arcing type disposed in said line, said method consisting in establishng an operating arc within said apparatus and in subsequently short-circuiting the arc path interiorly of said apparatus.

16. In an velectrical system, an electrical transmission line, and means disposed in said line and operableI to open and close the same; said means including a casing, an anode disposed within said casing, a. cathode associated with said casing, switch means disposed within said casing, said switch means eing electrically connected to said anode and being supporte for movement into and out of contacting engagement with said cathode, spring means urging said switch means out of contacting enga ement with said cathode, and a latch coopera le with said switch means to hold the same in contacting engagement with said cathode against the opposite action of sait' spring means; and mea-ns responsive to ahnt rmal conditions in said line and being operable upon occurrence of such conditions to eifect release of said latch. f

17. In an electrical system, an electrica transmission line, current-rectifying apparatus of the arcing type disposed in said line and operable to open and close the same said apparatus includmga casing, an anode disposed within said casing, means disposed interiorly of said casing and operable to shortcircuit the arc path, and a grid supported in proximity to said anode; and means for controlling short-circuiting action of said first-- named means, and means for providing an electrical potential on said grid.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a casing, an anode disposed within' MAURICE L. SINDEBAND. OTHMAR K. MARTI. 

